Things to do in Copiapó
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Escuela de Minas
There's a treat for railroad enthusiasts in the grounds of the historic Escuela de Minas, now the Universidad de Atacama, just west of town; on its grounds is the beautiful yellow-and-black Locomotora Copiapó (1850), the Norris Brothers locomotive thought to be the first to operate on the Caldera–Copiapó railway line (and hence the first to operate in South America). Attached are 1st-, 2nd- and 3rd-class carriages.
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Museo Mineralógico
The must-see Museo Mineralógico literally dazzles. This tribute to the raw materials to which the city owes its existence displays a kaleidoscopic collection of more than 2300 samples, some as delicate as coral, others bright as neon under fluorescent light. The museum was founded in 1857 and supported by the Universidad de Atacama (successor to Copiapó’s famous School of Mines).
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Iglesia Catedral
Copiapó's mining heyday is evident throughout its town center. Shaded by century-old pepper trees, Plaza Prat is graced by several buildings from the early mining era, not least the elegant Iglesia Catedral, with its three-tiered tower, and the musty old municipal Casa de la Cultura. Watch out for the roving fortune-tellers, once they get started you'll have a hard time getting away.
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Casa de la Cultura
Copiapó's mining heyday is evident throughout its town center. Shaded by century-old pepper trees, Plaza Prat is graced by several buildings from the early mining era, such as the musty old municipal Casa de la Cultura the elegant Iglesia Catedral, with its three-tiered tower. Watch out for the roving fortune-tellers, once they get started you'll have a hard time getting away.
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Tololo Pampa
A happening tablas joint. The hottest culinary trend to hit Chile since adding mayo to mussels, tablas are cutting boards adorned with anything from meats and cheeses to ceviche and sushi. Enjoy them on the open-air back patio with rough-hewn furniture and an outdoor fireplace. Come for drinks and late-night snacks.
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Museo Regional de Atacama
Built in the 1840s by industrial moguls and radical politicians, the Matta family, the Museo Regional de Atacama is a national monument worth a snoop simply for the architecture. It houses a piecemeal museum with indigenous artifacts and a mock mine made of fiberglass.
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Palacete Viña de Cristo
Mining-magnate Apolinario Soto’s Palacete Viña de Cristo, built in 1860 from European materials, and mixing a jumble of oriental and classical styles, was the town’s most elegant mansion. It belongs to the Universidad de Atacama.
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Estación Ferrocarril
Railroad buffs will want to see the Estación Ferrocarril, the starting point for the very first railroad on the continent. It’s now a neglected picture of peeling paint flanked by two graffiti-marred engines (both British-made).
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Bavaria
Grills and schnitzel are the cornerstone of this trustworthy national chain. The door closest to the corner leads to the main restaurant, and the door further away on Chacabuco leads to the simpler caféteria.
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La Tabla
A mock-adobe bar with mellow lighting, studied rustic decor and plenty of dark intimate corners, La Tabla is good for those wanting to share bar snacks and jam out to the hard-rock soundtrack.
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Cafe Colombia
If you're fed up with Nescafe, feast your taste buds on Colombia's finest coffee at this ever buzzing café. They also do ambrosial iced juices and decadent ice-cream concoctions.
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Kamikaze
Copiapó’s most popular pub-club has a grisly WWII theme with a plane nose-diving into the roof. It has live music and serves bar snacks, fajitas and pizza to keep energy levels up.
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Asociación Minera Copiapó
The stuffy national monument Asociación Minera Copiapó, between Avs Vallejos and Colipí, is one of many buildings reminiscent of Copiapó's early boomtown era.
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Empanadopolis
This hole-in-the-wall is hugely popular for its mouthwatering empanadas with unusual flavors and gimmicky names borrowed from Greek heroes and philosophers.
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Don Elias
A downmarket diner with small tables and a blaring TV, ‘The Don’ churns out excellent-value almuerzos (set lunches) and particularly good seafood.
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Di Tito
Hefty wooden doors lead into this snug Italian restaurant-cum-bar, recommended for its pizza and pasta dishes and welcoming staff.
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Hao-Hwa
Enter the dragon at this Cantonese chifa (restaurant) decked out with neon lights. Takeout is possible.
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Schop Dog
Kitsch fast-food restaurant, with elevated views of the plaza and a few vegetarian dishes (salads mostly).
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El Corsario
Sedate dining can be had in this elderly patio restaurant; serves varied Chilean food, including rabbit.
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Atacama Chile
Atacama Chile offers standard trips and mountaineering in the eastern mountains.
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Splash
A long-running youth-driven club that will have you living la vida loca.
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